Blues recall Jake Allen after goaltending woes continue

Credit: UPI

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jake Allen makes his NHL debut taking over for starting goaltender Brian Elliott in the second period against the Nashville Predators at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on February 5, 2013. Elliott gave up four goals to the Predators. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

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(HockeyStL) -- After blowing a 4-1 lead against the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday night, the St. Louis Blues recalled goaltender Jake Allen from the AHL-affiliate Peoria Rivermen.

It marks Allen’s second stint with the Blues this season. His previous appearance came in February when Jaroslav Halak went down with a groin injury. He posted a 3-1-0 record with a 2.62 goals against average and a .895 save percentage in five games for St. Louis.

Allen played well in his final three games before he was sent down on February 21. During the three-game span, Allen stopped 81 of 88 shots faced and won two games.

The 22-year-old has posted a 1-3-0 record and stopped 94 of 104 shots faced since returning to the Rivermen.

The announcement of his recall came shortly after the Blues blew a three-goal lead and allowed five unanswered goals in a 6-4 loss to the Kings. Halak was pulled from the game after he allowed five goals on 21 shots, including three goals on seven shots in the third period. Brian Elliott stopped seven of eight shots in relief.

The Blues managed to score four goals on only 14 shots, but failed to capitalize which might make Tuesday’s game the most devastating loss of the season.